When I get called

The board is meeting regularly - but not deciding. The ownership conversation keeps being deferred. Succession is approaching and nobody wants to go first. The decision to sell is approaching - but the timing, the number and whether the business is actually ready aren't clear yet. Governance hasn't kept pace with where the business has got to. A critical issue is sitting in the room that nobody is naming. The business is more dependent on one person than anyone is comfortable admitting.

These situations don't resolve themselves. They need someone independent in the room - with the structure to move things forward and the experience to understand why they stalled.

That's the work.

How exit ready is your business?

Most owners have a sense something needs attention, however surprisingly, very few have looked at it squarely in my own experience.

The Exit Readiness Diagnostic takes seven minutes and gives you an honest picture across the four dimensions that matter most - governance, exit readiness, ownership dynamics and owner dependency.

Free & without obligation.  Plus downloadable results for you to consider.

→ Try the diagnostic

What's Different

Most people in this situation don't need another consultant with a framework.

They need someone who's actually been in the room - not as an advisor, but as an owner. Someone who understands why these conversations stall, why the obvious answer isn't always the right one and why timing matters as much as the decision itself.

That's where my background is different.

Fourth-generation family business. Founder. Built and ran Co-Pilot®, my management consulting practice, from 2002 - ten of those years creating and growing GrownUps® alongside it, navigating deals, shareholder movements, and ultimately selling a nationwide business to a Fortune 500 company. And living with everything that came with it. I've sat in similar rooms to where my clients are sitting. I know what it costs to get these decisions wrong and what it takes to get them right. That's why Generations exists.

I don't make decisions for your board or your ownership group. I create the conditions where the right people can decide, with clarity, structure and confidence.

“What stood out was the preparation Richard invested in before the session, his ability to keep the team engaged, and the calm way he facilitated complex discussion while keeping us focused and on track.” Terry Buchan. GM, Hawkins, Board Member - NZ Institute of Building / Building Institute Aotearoa

Calm presence.
Steady hands.
Owner-level judgement.
Independent perspective.
No agenda.